Parliament vs. Cabinet: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Parliament is a legislative body of government, typically bicameral, responsible for making laws, while a Cabinet is a group of high-ranking officials, usually heads of government departments, advising the head of state.
Key Differences
Parliament and Cabinet are two fundamental components of many democratic governments, each with distinct roles. Parliament, often bicameral, consists of elected representatives responsible for legislating, debating, and overseeing the government. It embodies the democratic principle of representation, where members (MPs or Senators) represent the electorate's interests. In contrast, the Cabinet comprises appointed officials, usually including heads of various government departments or ministries. These officials, often part of the ruling party or coalition, are responsible for implementing laws and policies and advising the head of state or government.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
While Parliament is involved in law-making, scrutiny, and debate, reflecting the will of the people, the Cabinet focuses on policy implementation, day-to-day administration, and executive decision-making. Members of the Cabinet are often drawn from Parliament, showcasing a link between legislative and executive functions. However, their roles in the Cabinet are distinct from their parliamentary duties. Parliaments hold Cabinets accountable, often requiring them to report on their activities and decisions, underscoring the system of checks and balances in a democratic setup.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
In some political systems, Parliament has the power to dismiss a government or Cabinet through a vote of no confidence, highlighting the supremacy of legislative over executive power. Conversely, the Cabinet, particularly its head (Prime Minister or President), can influence Parliament through policy direction and, in some systems, by calling elections. This dynamic relationship ensures that while they have separate functions, Parliament and Cabinet are interdependent, working together to govern effectively.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Comparison Chart
Function
Legislative body responsible for making laws
Group of high-ranking officials advising the head of state
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Main Role
Debating, legislating, and overseeing the government
Implementing policies and advising the head of state
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Accountability
Accountable to the electorate
Accountable to the head of state and, indirectly, to Parliament
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Power Dynamics
Can dismiss the Cabinet through a vote of no confidence
Can influence legislative agenda and policy direction
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Parliament and Cabinet Definitions
Cabinet
Advisory Group to the Head of State
The Cabinet discussed the foreign policy crisis.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Parliament
Legislative Assembly
The Parliament convened to discuss the new bill.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Cabinet
Policy Implementers
The Cabinet implemented new environmental regulations.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Parliament
Representative Institution
Parliament reflects the diversity of the nation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Cabinet
Executive Decision-Makers
Critical decisions are made in the Cabinet meetings.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Parliament
Checker of Executive Power
Parliament scrutinized the government's spending.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Cabinet
Administrators of Government Functions
The Cabinet coordinated the national response to the crisis.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Cabinet
An upright, cupboardlike repository with shelves, drawers, or compartments for the safekeeping or display of objects.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parliament
A representative body having supreme legislative powers within a state or multinational organization.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
(Computers) The box that houses the main components of a computer, such as the central processing unit, disk drives, and expansion slots.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parliament
Parliament The national legislature of the United Kingdom, made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
Often Cabinet A body of persons appointed by a head of state or a prime minister to head the executive departments of the government and to act as official advisers.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parliament
A formal council summoned (especially by a monarch) to discuss important issues.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
(Archaic) A small or private room set aside for a specific activity.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parliament
In many countries, the legislative branch of government, a deliberative assembly or set of assemblies whose elected or appointed members meet to debate the major political issues of the day, make, amend, and repeal laws, authorize the executive branch of government to spend money, and in some cases exercise judicial powers; a legislature.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parliament
A particular assembly of the members of such a legislature, as convened for a specific purpose or period of time (commonly designated with an ordinal number – for example, first parliament or 12th parliament – or a descriptive adjective – for example, Long Parliament, Short Parliament and Rump Parliament).
Following the general election, Jane Doe took her oath of office as a member of the nation's fifth parliament.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
Suitable for storage or display in a cabinet, as because of size or decorative quality.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
Of, relating to, or being a member of a governmental cabinet
Cabinet matters.
A cabinet minister.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parliament
A parleying; a discussion; a conference.
But first they held their parliament.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parliament
A formal conference on public affairs; a general council;
They made request that it might be lawful for them to summon a parliament of Gauls.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parliament
The assembly of the three estates of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, viz., the lords spiritual, lords temporal, and the representatives of the commons, sitting in the House of Lords and the House of Commons, constituting the legislature, when summoned by the royal authority to consult on the affairs of the nation, and to enact and repeal laws.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
The upright assembly that houses a coin-operated arcade game, a cab.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parliament
In France, before the Revolution of 1789, one of the several principal judicial courts.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
(historical) A size of photograph, specifically one measuring 3⅞" by 5½".
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parliament
A legislative assembly in certain countries (e.g., Great Britain)
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Parliament
A card game in which you play your sevens and other cards in sequence in the same suit as their sevens; you win if you are the first to use all your cards
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
In parliamentary and some other systems of government, the group of ministers responsible for creating government policy and for overseeing the departments comprising the executive branch.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
(Kentucky) A cabinet-level agency in the executive branch; that is, an agency headed by a member of the governor's cabinet.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
A hut; a cottage; a small house.
Hearken a while from thy green cabinet,The rural song of careful Colinet.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
A private room in which consultations are held.
Philip passed some hours every day in his father's cabinet.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
The advisory council of the chief executive officer of a nation; a cabinet council.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
A set of drawers or a cupboard intended to contain articles of value. Hence:
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
Any building or room set apart for the safe keeping and exhibition of works of art, etc.; also, the collection itself.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
Suitable for a cabinet; small.
He [Varnhagen von Ense] is a walking cabinet edition of Goethe.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
A cupboard-like repository or piece of furniture with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
Persons appointed by a head of state to head executive departments of government and act as official advisers
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
A storage compartment for clothes and valuables; usually it has a lock
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cabinet
Heads of Government Departments
Each Cabinet member oversees a specific department.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How are Cabinet members chosen?
They are usually appointed by the head of state.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
What is a Parliament?
A legislative body responsible for making laws and representing the electorate.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Can a person be in both Parliament and Cabinet?
Yes, Cabinet members are often drawn from Parliament.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Can the Cabinet influence Parliament?
Yes, through policy direction and legislative proposals.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
How do members get into Parliament?
They are elected by the public in democratic elections.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Do Cabinet meetings happen frequently?
Yes, Cabinets typically meet regularly to discuss ongoing issues.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
What are the responsibilities of the Cabinet?
Implementing policies and advising the head of state.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
What is a Cabinet?
A group of high-ranking officials advising the head of state and implementing policies.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
How does Parliament check the Cabinet?
Through debates, questions, and votes of no confidence.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
What's the role of the Prime Minister in Parliament and Cabinet?
The Prime Minister leads the government in both Parliament and Cabinet.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
What powers does Parliament have?
It can pass laws, scrutinize the government, and represent the public.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
What happens if Parliament rejects a Cabinet proposal?
The proposal cannot become law without Parliament's approval.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
How often does Parliament meet?
This varies by country but usually in regular sessions throughout the year.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Are Cabinet meetings public?
Generally, Cabinet meetings are held behind closed doors.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Can Parliament dismiss the entire Cabinet?
In some systems, a vote of no confidence can lead to the government's dismissal.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
How does Parliament influence foreign policy?
It can debate and ratify international agreements and scrutinize the government's foreign policy.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
What role does the Cabinet play in national emergencies?
The Cabinet coordinates the government's response to crises.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Is Parliament more powerful than the Cabinet?
It depends on the political system, but Parliament usually has legislative supremacy.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Does the Cabinet have legislative powers?
No, but it can propose legislation for Parliament to consider.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Can the public attend Parliament sessions?
In most democracies, Parliament sessions are open to the public.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
